MTA 7 Subway extension project wins Construction Project of the Year

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $1.1 billion "Running Tunnels and Underground Structures" contract, the first portion of the $2.1-billion 7 Subway Line Extension Project, will be awarded the 2013 Construction Project of the Year by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

It was completed five months ahead of schedule and under budget.

The 7 Subway Line Extension will provide transit access to the West Side of Manhattan, including the Jacob Javits Convention Center, by extending the 7 Subway Line westward from its current terminus at Times Square to a new station being constructed at 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue. It will help to stimulate economic growth and continuing development of the area. The Hudson Yards Development Corporation is overseeing the program.

The 7 Subway Line Project is to receive this award for outstanding professional engineering efforts in developing creative solutions and innovative technologies in construction of an infrastructure project. The 7 Subway Line project used the first double-shielded tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to tunnel under New York City, while placing precast concrete segments to form the tunnels' walls. A ground freezing method was used to harden soil to act as rock, which allowed the TBMs to maintain proper course while boring and placing the tunnel liners.

"This is a significant award for the 7 Subway Line Icon Line Extension Project." said Dr. Michael Horodniceanu, president of MTA Capital Construction. "It recognizes the aptitude of our contractors and construction management team in the face of complex challenges."

The 7 Subway Line Extension is being built by a JV of Skanska/Shea/Schiavone and is scheduled to open in June 2014.